Future Forward
In the news

Media & press

Coverage of Future Forward, the Green Future program, and the student-led effort to modernize how Kentucky schools handle waste.

ArticleNews-Express

Pikeville student presents bill request on recycling to legislative committee

By Terry L. May

Pikeville's hometown paper covers Anikaa's presentation of Bill Request 79 to the Interim Joint Committee on Education, which would update Kentucky's 1998 school recycling statute to cover aluminum cans and food waste and phase out foam trays.

Read at News-Express
ArticleLexington Herald-Leader

A KY student had an idea to reduce waste on K-12 campuses. It could become law.

By Valarie Honeycutt Spears

The Herald-Leader reports that Kentucky Senate Republicans highlighted Anikaa's proposal as an example of the legislative process at its best, and that it is now being developed as legislation for the 2027 Regular Session.

Read at Lexington Herald-Leader
ArticleKentucky Lantern

Pikeville student outlines proposal to Kentucky lawmakers on reducing waste in schools

By McKenna Horsley

Statewide coverage of the September 1 hearing in Frankfort, where Anikaa, joined by Sen. Phillip Wheeler, laid out a plan to modernize the list of school recyclables, divert food waste to composting, and end styrofoam tray purchases by July 2028.

Read at Kentucky Lantern
VideoMountain Top News

Student works with local business to promote recycling

By Nick Collum

Pikeville's Mountain Top News visits Bit Source to see how Anikaa is partnering with a local business on Green Future's recycling and technology projects, including turning recycled bottles into 3D-printing filament.

Watch at Mountain Top News
Watch

From the committee room

The Kentucky legislature's official recording of the September 1, 2026 Interim Joint Committee on Education hearing. Anikaa's presentation starts at 41:30.

Media inquiries

Reporters and producers covering school sustainability, youth advocacy, or Eastern Kentucky are welcome to reach out. We can connect you with Anikaa Sharma, share photos and program data, or arrange a visit to one of our partner schools.

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